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Liu Dan
Son of Emperor Wu of Han, made King of Yan in 117 BCE, who plotted to seize the throne after his father's death and hanged himself in 80 BCE; the Han History records a song he sang before dying.
In a side chamber of a palace, a yellow ceremonial robe embroidered with a dragon hangs on a wooden stand, its hem worked with waves and rocks, before a carved folding screen, while a black lacquer chest sits on a low table by a lattice window and no person is in view.
Also known as King Ci of Yan · Dan, King of Yan
Liu Dan, son of Emperor Wu of Han by Lady Li and half-brother of Emperor Zhao, was made King of Yan in 117 BCE and was interested in astronomy and the calendar. Resentful at being passed over after his father's death, he joined Liu Ze's plot in 86 BCE, was pardoned when it was exposed, and then conspired with Shangguan Jie; in 80 BCE the plot failed and he strangled himself with his sash. He was named Ci, King Ci of Yan. The Han History records the feast at which he sang a song of despair and his consort Huarong danced and sang; the Gu Shi Yuan preserves his song.
Life and times
Dates Birth year unknown; made King of Yan in 117 BCE, died by his own hand in 80 BCE